Method and apparatus for handling material



Nov; 22, 192 7.

R. T. ROMINE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIAL 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 27, 1926 Nov. 22, 1927.. 1,650,540

R. T. ROMINE METHOD AND APPARATUS FdR HANDLING MATERIAL Filed Sept. 27, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 E 2 a2, a1 a fizz/enfor- 4270772 ey-s'.

Nov. 22, 1927. 1,650,540

R. T. ROMINE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIAL I Filed Sept. 27. 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 1/2 vezz Z02":

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1,650,540 R. 1'. ROMINE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIAL Filed Sept. 27, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 In men for:

New. 22, 1927..

1,650,540 R. T. ROMINE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIAL Filed Sept. 27. 1926 '7 Sheets-Sheet s R.T.ROMINE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIAL Filed Sept. 27. 192s'- Sheets-Sheet e flflorlz @451 Nov. 22, 1927; 1,650,540

R. T. ROMINE I METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIAL Filed Sept. 27, 1926 7 Sheets- Sheet 7 Mai -M JM QL WPM U heretofore,

ing 'or 'r'o'c larities of Nov. 22, 1927.

it@j in man STATES- 1,650,540 OFFICE.

PATENT 'BOBERT '1. ROM INF MOUNT CLEMENS, MICHIGAN.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIAL.

Application file d September 27, 1326. Serial No. 137,867.

such as in relatively large units or bundles of a number of tons, in which the bracing apparatus will hold the metal sheets, strips, i or bars of the bundle against relative shiftable ,movement to prevent'damage or injury thereto in transit, and. in which the apparatus is constructed to sustain the various strains, stresses and forces set up during transportation.

One/of the important features of the present invention is to rovide a means for packing or crating the" etal so that the sheets or parts of the bundles or stacks will be maintained substantially int-act within the bundle against shifting, preventing damage to the metal sheets or constituent parts of the packs, and so that the bundles may be taken from the car in units without requiring, as the breaking up of the bundles or stacks and separate handling in order to unload.

The loading or packing of metal, such as high finished steel sheets, in freight cars so. as to prevent damage to the metal and damage to the cars presents extremely diflicult problems resultin from the complex and varying forces an stresses set up in the car under widely different conditions. It is well known that freight cgs in transitare subjected to shocks, jolts and .cdllisi'ons of varying force or intensity. These blows when transmitted to the stack of metal result in forces tending to displace the stack, as well as the parts thereof, in various directions. Severe shocks or blows to the car cause the car door to flex or. tilt in successive directions, resulting-fin' thetendency of the stack.

or bundle to shift in one direction due to the force of impac'tand then to shift in the opposite direction due to the rebound of the car caused by its force of impact against the end I of the next freight car in the train. ;l[n addition the car during travel 'hasa rollmotionon account of 1rregut e r ad be h ch tend to r s mit to the bun'dl a weaving or flexing mo- I tion. Likewise t e side sway or transverse rockng motion of the car sets up forces actmg transversely to the stack.

' One of the objects of this invention is to provide a bracmg or crating apparatus for shipping metal, which will be strong enough the stack of metal, such as a to maintain heavy mass weighing as much as ten tons, intact while sustaining orwithstanding the forces and stresses acting against the stack.

And in addition the invention enables a bracing apparatus to be constructed as a result of which the'danger of sheet metal becoming crimped or damaged during transit is greatly minimized while at the same time minimizing the danger of the car being damaged under varying conditions.

An important object of this invention is to provide a method for transporting material, such as sheet, strip or bar metal, based in part upon the principle, which I have discovered by tests in onnection with sheet and .bar steel, that the opposed longitudinal forces acting on the stack or bundle tend to maintain it in approximately average position on the car floor. One of the features of this invention therefore is the fact that each stack isallowed to float as a unit or single mass on the car floor. Under ordinary or normal conditions the shocks to which the car is subjected will result in shifting the stack or bundle relatively short distances forwardly and backwardly on the floor, and all forward shifting movements will be approximately oifset by the rearward shifting movements. In addition means is provided for guiding the floating movements or travel of the stack in a straight longitudinal line and also for taking up the forces tending to cause the bundle to shift or topple over sideup The metal sheets or constituent parts, of the bundle are bound or held as a substantially integral unit or single mass unit, and as a result of the foregoing the position of the stack with relation to the opposite sides in ,thett ct h t t e ble th p v i n of an apparatus which may be utilized substantially interchangeably for shipping sheet metal of varying sizes in stacks either flatwise or edgewise, or for shipping other types of mlilterial such as strip steel, metal bars or the li e.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of an apparatus adapted to bind the metal sheets or parts without defacing or deforming them, adapted to permit a protecting cover to be placed over the stack or bundle to protect it against moisture, dirt and cinders especially when shipped in open cars, and adapted to permit the bundle or stack to be rolled over on its side to accommodate special factory conditions in the storage or handling of the metal at the ma-;

chines.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation illustrating a stack of metal braced or bound on the floor of a car in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on lines 3-3, of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows.

Fi 4 is a fragmentary section taken substantially on lineset-et of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

F ig. 5 is a detail perspective view lllllS- trating the manner in which the angular frame members are adjustably connected together.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view illustrating the unassembled parts of .the pressure device.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view showing the unassembled parts for connecting together in spaced relation the frame members.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation partly broken away illustrating the invention as adapted for binding or packing sheet metal flatwise.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation showing a somewhat modified manner of loading the stack of metal on the car floor for longitudinal movement.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of a box car, with a stack lifter elevating the bundle into position to be deposited on the lift platform of an electric lift truck. I

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatical side view similar to Fig. 9, showing the movement of the stack relatively to the wedge blocks.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating two stacks of metal in position for shipmenton the floor of a box car.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing two stacks of metal in position for shipment on the floor of a flat car.

Fi 14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating t e manner in which the stacks are permltted to travel on the car floor under their own momentum or inertia.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a car loaded with stacks of metal and subjected to impact at one end.

Fig. 16 is a similar view showing the action on the stacks due to the impact or rebound of the car at the opposite end.

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the forces acting against the stacks of metal on the floor of a freight car when the latter is subjected to impact at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the car.

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic end view illustrating the manner in which the stack with its bracing elements may be turned or rolled from one position to another.

Before explaining in detail the present invention, and the method or mode of operation embodied therein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims hereto appended or the requirements of the prior art.

When metal sheets are packed flatwise on the car floor two weaving or whipping motions are imparted to the sheets during transit, one in which the bending of the sheets is transverse thereto and the other in which the bending or flexing of the sheets is lengthwise thereto. These weaving motions usually result, respectively, from rocking or vibratory movements of the car floor longitudinally and laterally, and have the effect of causing each sheet to flex and slide back and forth on the next sheet. The constant weaving or Whipping action of the stack causes the sheets to creep longitudinally. Thus, with metal sheets stacked flatwise, if the bottom and top of the pack is held the center of the pack will normally creep out so that when the stack is braced at its ends by buttresses of wood or metal this creeping movement results frequently in a constant vibrating movement of the end edges of the sheets against the buttresses, resulting in crimping or bending the edges of the sheets where contacting with the buttresses. In addition dirt or abrasive particles frequently lodge between the sheets and the weaving action has the effect of causing the sheets to rub against each other producing a continuous abrading action, marring or causing scratches in the finished surfaces of the metal. Where the surfaces of the finished sheets are scratched or marred it is necessary to remove the scratches by expensive finishing operations, and where the end edges of the 'crim s. 7

sheets are crimped or bent it is necessary to .fp'ass'the sheets through rollersin' order to flatten out the crimped portions. If as free -quently-happens a sheet iscrimped at both ends it 's impossible to feed'the sheet into the pressing rollers'in order to roll out the en metal sheets are packededgewise on the car floor the up and down weavmg vaction of the ends of the stackis automatically eliminated due to the upright'positions of thesheets. The weaving or flexing motions ofthe sheets due to the bending' or bowing thereof through the longitudinal center of the sheets are also-prevented s thatwhere sheet metal is shipped on edge labrasive particles will neither lodge and remain between the sheets nor will any substantial weaving action be. set u 1 causing scratches or.marring of the finishe surfaces. The apparatus of the present invention may therefore be interchangeablypused for binding or crating sheet metal when stacked flatwise or edgewise, and also other material such for example as strip metal or metal bars. l[n shipping finished sheet metal or sheet steel I prefer to support the sheets on their edgesor edgewise dueto the fact that the whipping or weaving action of the sheets is eliminated and the danger of scratching the finished surfaces is avoided, since any abrasive particles if lodged between the sheets will gravitate out from between the sheets when they are stacked on edge at the mill for shipment.

Referring to the drawings, inthe present instancethe stack of metal is supported on the car fioor on a series of cross members ,16, preferably of relatively soft wood, and

these wood members 16'are secured-together to form. substantially a platform or pallet by means of a pair of spaced lengthwise extending angle bars 17 and 18 which are secured to the several members 16 by means of wood screws 19. In the present instance the stack is bound or clamped together by means of bracing or clamping frames or-devices designated A- D. Twoofsuch frames.

or devices are shown inthe drawings by way of illustration, one .adiacent each end of the bundle or stack ,a though a different number may be provided, and these frames are each preferably identical -in'construd tion. Each bracing or clamping frame-isconstructed to encom ass vor embrace the top, bottom and uprig tsides'of the stack, and is preferably of suchfstrength and rigidity to sustain the pressure which may be,

applied to the top and lateral sides of the f stack for binding the parts of the stack into a single unit or mass.

The bracin frames comprise in the present instance our angular steel membersA,

B, C and D substantially similar in construction The member A comprises a pair sheet steel'with the'sheets of the offlat steel bars 20 each rolled 'orotherwise formed with a right angle bend A'intermediate its ends, providing a round corner.

The bars 20 are positioned with the plane thereof extending transversely to the stack, are held in spaced parallel relation by means of tubular spacer members 21 through which pass bolts 22, and by means of nuts 23 the bars are securely clamped together and held in spaced relation. The frame member B is constructed similar to the member 20 with a round bend or corner 13', but the bars 24 are clamped closer together to permit the bars 20 to straddle or overlap them. As shown in Fig.- 5 each pair of bars 20 ancl 24 a is providedwith' a series of ertically spaced holes 25 and 26 respectively so that the mem- "bers A and B may be adjustably connected together by means of bolts '28 extending through any of the horizontal alinecl holes '25 and 26 in the overlapping bars 20 and '24; The bolts 28,-"pass through tubular spacer members 27 which act to maintain the bars 24- in proper spaced relation andthe bolts are provided with nuts 29 permitting From the foregoing it will be seen that each bracing or clamping device A-D comprises four angular members adapted to be adj ustably connected together in overlapping relation to form a rigid rectangular frame or yoke of any desired dimentions so as to accommodate stacks of different widths and different heights. frame is provided with round corners enabling the-stack tobe rolled over on its side as shown in Fig. 18. Furthermore by constructing the angular members 20 and 24 of the several frame members so that they are and C in the manner" luu In addition this positioned edgewise with relation to the f,

stack and are rigidly clamped togetheYfiin parallel relation, at frame of relatively light constructionyehhaving great strength and rigidity is provided thus enabling great pressure to be applied to the stack without the'tendency of the frame to buckle or bend in its lengt a In Fig's.'2 and 3, the metal tmwbounrd or clamped, together is shown as a stack of tack'positioned or supported on their edge member 30 is" placed on the topo he stackfiao stack. A wood strip 34 is placed at each vertical side of the stack intermediate the top and bottom thereof and this strip extends approximately the full length of the stack beneath the two sets of clamping devices as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 12. A similar wood strip 35 is placed against each vertical side of the stack at the bottom thereof, and runs approximately the full length of the stack.

Each of the members 35 is pressed or clamped to the stack by means of a pressure or clamping device E and each of these devices is preferably identical in construction. The pressure device E comprises a plate 36 bent at opposite ends to form a yoke adapted to embrace opposite sides of any one of the frame members. The central web or portion 36 of the oke extends transversely across the inner side of the frame member A, B, C or D and has centrally thereof a tapped hole 37 through which is threaded an adjusting screw 38. Interposed between the end of the adjusting screw 38 and the wood members 30, 34 or is a metal thrust plate 39 having acountersunk hole 40 drilled centrally thereof to receive and centre the end of the adjusting screw 38. Each thrust or hearing plate 39 may, if desired, be serrated on the outer face thereof forming a gripping surface 'engageable with the wood member, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 8. A pair of pressure devices E are supported by each clamping frame at the top of the stack and act at spaced points against the wood strip 30. Pressure devices are also carried by the frame and act against the several wood strips 34 and 35. The angles 31 are clamped against the wood strips 32 and 33 by means of pairs of pressure devices E carried by each clamping frame and acting at right angles to each other against the flanges 31 and 31 of the angle bars. In this instance the thrust plates 39 may be dispensed with and the adjusting screws are adjusted directly against the metal flanges of the angle bars.

Thus it will be seen from the foregoing construction that each rectangular binder frame, adjacent each end of the stack, is provided with a number of pressure devices E, ten being shown in the present instance by way of example, which act between the frame and the stack so as to exert pressure againit the stack at a plurality of spaced points at the top and opposite upright sides of the stack. As a result of this construction the stack of metal is rigidly bound together into a single unit or mass preventing the constituent parts, such as the sheets of the pack, moving relatively to each other. Vhere the sheets are supported on edge the bottom edge of each sheet frictionally engages the wood members 16 and acts to resist the tendency of the sheets to shift relatively to each other or relatively to the supporting medium for the sheets. As a result the sheets of the stack are effectively held by friction to the several supporting members 16, and these members in turn are rigidly held together by means of the angle bars 17 and 18. The latter are preferably applied and secured to the members 16 so that the vertical flanges thereof will abut against the outer sides of the frames AD as shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 3.

The supporting members 16, which are secured together by the angle bars 17 and 18 form substantially a unitary platform or pallet not secured or gripped to the floor of the car, but allowed to float or ride on the car floor longitudinally thereof. The friction of the sheets S on the wood members 16 is considerably greater than the normal friction of the wood members 16 on the floor of the car and therefore the entire stack together with the binder frames and the supporting wood pallet 16 travels or moves back and forth on the car floor as a single unit or mass when the car is subjected to jolts, shocks or collisions.

It will be noted that the members 16 are placed in spaced relation and the end pair are spaced apart sufficiently to provide transverse guideways or spaces 16 for the lower portions of the frames AD to extend beneath the bundle, and without the frames resting on the floor of the car so as to sustain in transit any weight of the bundle. In the guide space 16 between each end pair of Wood blocks 16 a wood strip 41 is inserted so as to extend beneath the bundle against the bottom edges thereof and interposed between the bottom of the bundle and the upper edges of the frame bars 24, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. An angle bar 42 is bolted at 44 to the outer side of one of the frame bars 24 of each clamping frame AD, and has the upper horizontal flange 42, thereof extending flush against ,the bottom of the wood strip 41. This angle bar is bent at its outer end to conform to the curvature of the bend B of the frame member B and the wood strip 41 as well as the edge of the flange 42" abuts against one of the end supporting blocks 16, see Figs. 4 and 1. Thus, each angle bar 42 abuts against one of the end blocks 16, so that any tendency of the stack luu and the bracing frames to move relatively-to the supporting-members 16 is prevented by the angles 42 engaging the end blocks 16, which in. turn are secured together by the angles 17 and 18; An angle bar 43 similar to the bar 42 is bolted, at the opposite underblock 16, and the wood strip 41 is interposed between this flange and the bottom edges of the stack.

As shown especially in Figs. 2 and 12 the supporting pa et or frame'comprising the cross members 16, is guided longitudinally of the car by means of lengthwise extending guide members 45 and 46 at opposite sides of the stack. These members may be in the form of heavy wood beams which are secured to the car floor by means of wood screws. These guides extend beyond opposite ends of the stack in its normal or initial position on the car floor, and stops-47 and 48, in the formof similar beams, may be secured to the car floor a sufiicient distance beyond the opposite ends of the stack to prevent excessive travel of the stack on, the car floor under extreme or abnormal conditions. 4

Referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the bracing apparatus may be interchangeably used where the metal is in the form of sheets stacked fiatwise. In this instance in addition to the angle bars 31 at the upper longitudinal corners of the stack, similar angle bars 49 may be also positioned at the lower longitudinal corners; Where the lower longitudinal angles 49 are used, an additional wood fillerstrip 50 is interposed .between the bottom flange 49 of each angle and the bottom of the stack. Wood strips- 16' are therefore interposed between'the sev eral members 16 and the .bottom of the stack and having substantially the combindthicknes's'fof the strips 50 and flanges 49. In the same manner as above described, the lower angles 49am clamped against the stack by means of pressure devices E. To prevent any tendency of the stack of sheets shifting relatively to the supporting members 16, the bottom flange 49 of each lower angle bar is provided with projecting cleats or lugs adapted to be embedded in the surfaces of the members 16' thereby holding the stack by positive frictional engagementto Ethe supporting pallet, 16. It will be noted from Fig. 8 that the wood strips'34 at opposite upright sides of the stack have the grain thereof running lengthwise and these strips are pressed against the longitudinal edges 9f the sheets so that the ed es of the sheets will frictionally engage, or

e partially mbedtied in the wood surfaces. As a result the central portions of the stack will be held by the bracing ,frame or binder against; displacement as well as the top andbottom portions of the stack. The rigid angle bars 31 and 49 resist the weaving or whipping action of the sheets and the pressure devices E acting against the wood members 34 prevent the centre portions of the stack from creeping out relatively to the top and bottom portions, since any tendency of the sheets to move lengthwise will result in the edges of the sheets frictionally embedding themselves in the wood surfaces 34. Thisfrictional actidn of the sheets or metal strips is aided bythe fact that the grain of the wood runs.-

lengthwise of the edges of the metal.

It will be further noted that by placing the wood members 32-35, 34 tudinally of the stack the pressure exerted by the devices E will not result in deforming or damagingthe sheets. Ihese wood members have suflicient width to provide a relatively broad bearing surface so that,

when clamped or pressed against the stack the sheets will not become distorted. In addition these members form trusses assisting in resisting any weaving or whipping action of the sheets during transit as a result of shocks to the car or rocking movements of the car. The longitudinal angle members '31. at the upper corners of'the stack also form rigid trusses holding the stack. straight against tendency to sag and also resisting he weaving or whipping actions of the sheets particularly where the sheets are stacked flatwise as shown in Fig. 8. In the latter instance with the sheets stacked flan I prefer to provide the longitudinal.

wise angle members 49 at the lower corners of the stack, Which form additional rigid trusses preventing weaving action of the sheets and acting through the gripping means 51 to grip the stack and the pallet members 16 together as a unit.

In the construction shown in Figs. 9 and 11, the stack of sheets may be pressed and held together as a unit in the manner-above described. In this instancetransversely 'extending. wedge blocks 57 and 58 are secured to the floor of the car at opposite ends oh the and 16 The sup orting blocks 16 may be stack. I

s of the pallet at opposite en bevelled at 5 5 and 56 respectively so as to.

overliethe lower tapered portions of the and 50 longiwedge blocks 57 and 58,as clearly shown in. l

Fig-'9.'---Thesupporting members 16 of the. are secured together. by means.

pallet which v of the angles 17 and 18 as above described, are free to slide on the floor of the car, so that-when the car is subjected to blows or shocks, the stack and the supporting Inem- I here 16 will travel-asa unit up the inclined or ta red surfaces of the wedge block 57 or the bldck 58 as the case may be, the movement of the stack being shown in Fig, 11. It will be articularly noted that the stack is prevente from sagging or bending in the middle due to the bracing or truss action of the angle bars 31, and angle bars 49 where the sheets are positioned flatwise, and also the wood members 32-35, 34 and 50. Therefore, the stack will be held straight and rigid and will not sag or bend when shifted up the'inclined surfaces of the wedge members 57 and 58, resulting in preventing the sheets from sliding on each other and tion to straddle opposite sides of the stack.

The box car is loaded preferably by conveying directly into the car and depositing each stack of metal on the car floor without any manual handling or separation of the parts of the stack. In unloadin the stacks from the box car, the material being shipped as shown in Fig. 12, the guides 45 and 46 and the emergency stops 48 are first removed from the car floor and thereupon the stack lifter U, see Fig. 10 maybe wheeled into position to straddle opposite sides of the stack. Thereupon a pair of steel cables Q having attaching loops at each end, may be passed underneath the stack beneath the flanges 42 and 43 of the pairs of angles 42 and 43. The four hooks of the sheave blocks R of the hoisting mechanism are connected to the eye loops at the ends of the cables Q, as s own in Fig. 10, and the hoisting mechanism of the stack lifter is operated to raise the entire stack vertically above the car floor. It will be seen that the lifting strain is transmitted directlyLagainst the angle members 42 and 43 and transmitted to the bottom of the stack by means of the wood strips 41. The stack is lifted hi h enough to permit the lift platform L of t e electric truck T, or other conveying medium, to be inserted between the legs of the stack lifter U andbeneath the bundle. Thereupon the bundle is deposited on the truck platform or conveying medium, the sheave block hooks disconnected, and the stack propelled directly out of the car, as by means of the electrictruck. The stack may be carried on the truck to its destination and may be removed .from the truck by connecting an overhead crane to the cables Q and lifting the stack bodily off the truck platform onto the ground. Where sheet metal has been shipped with the sheets on edge, the stack may be deposited on the ground as shown in Fig. 18, and if it is'desired to turn the stack over for storage purposes or to facilitate feeding the sheets into the machines or presses, the stack may be readily rolled over on its side by attaching cables from a crane or other mechanism thereto as indicated diagram-' matically in Fig. 18. The round corners A, B, C and D of the clamping frames or binders enable the stack to be readily rolled or turned on its side. 'In addition the binders enable stacks to be piled one on top of another in crosswise relation.

The present invention enables the finished metal to be readily transported on the floor of freight cars of the open or flat-car type, as shown in Fig. 13. In this instance the stacks are deposited on the floor of the car in the same manner as shown in Fig. 12, with the guides 45 and 46 at opposite sides of the supporting members 16, and with the limiting stops 47 and 48 at the required distances beyond the opposite ends of the stacks. Additional angle bars may be secured to the floor of the flat car at opposite ends thereof against the end brace members 47. The construction of the clampin frames A'D facilitate the shipping of t e stacks on the floor of an open freight car since the sheets may be readily protected against moisture, dust, cinders, 'etc., by means of a protecting canopy or cover 61, see Fig. 13. This canopy may be formed of suitable waterproof material and comprises top, side and end portions securely stltched together with waterproof joints and of such shape to permit the cover to be readily slipped over the top of the stack and its bracing elements AD. The rounded corners of the bracing elements or frames prevent wear or damage to the canopy or cover 61 during transit, and the lower edges of the latter may be provided with'metal eyes 62 which are releasably secured to the several supporting members 16 of the pallet as by means of hook or securing devices insertable through the metal eyes 62 and relcasably attached, as by -screw threads, to the wood members16 at the ends and sides thereof, as shown in Fig. 13. It will be seen, therefore, that the stacks when shipped on the floor of an open car will be protected against weather or against dirt and cinders and at the same time the stack together with its canopy or cover is permitted to slide longitudinally on the car floor between the guides 45 and 46.

From the foregoing it will therefore be noted that the stack of metal is securely bound together as a single unit or mass and is held as by friction, to the supporting pallet members 16 so that the stack and pallet is allowed to fioat or slide back and forth on the car floor between the-longitudinal guides 45 and 46, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 14. The stacks are positioned on the car floor a suflicient distance from the end walls of the car to allow for the maximum travel of the stack toward the end wall of the car as a result of varying impacts against the car. In Figs. 15 and 16, I have illustrated diagrammatically the manner in which the stacks will move on the car floor as the result of an impact against one end of the car. The metal is shown loaded in the car 6 of the train, and the car a is shown driven against one end of the car 12 causing an impact in the direction of the arrow. This results in causing the car 6 to buckle in the middle at b, lifting on an incline one portion 6 of the floor of the car adjacent the impact end. The stack 0 will travel or shift by its inertia in the direction of the arrow longitudinally toward the centre of the car a given distance, and the stack 7 will travel in the same direction towards the impact end of the car a less distance due to the incline of the floor. The car 6 will then be driven against the end of the car d, the rebound being indicated by the arrow, Fig. 16. This action results in shifting the stacks in the opposite direction. The stack 7 on the rebound impact will move towards the centre of the car a greater distance than its previous movement toward the end of the car due to the fact that the portion 12 of the car floor adjacent the rebound end of the car will be raised on an incline.

The stack a in Fig. 16 will be shifted toward the rebound end of the car but a less distance than its previous movement toward the centre of the car on account of the incline of the floor portion 6 Thus I have? found that by allowing the stacks to travel or slide by their own momentum or inertia on the car floor, the stacks'will tend to move, as the result of impacts a. slightly greater distance towards the centre of the car than towards the end walls of the car. Byguiding the stacks into straight longitudinal direction on the car floor, and binding the parts of the stacks together in a single mass or unit, they will arrive at destination in proper position with relation to the side walls of the car to permit unloading of the cars. And by initially positioning each stack a sufficient distance from the end wall of the car, the maximum movement of the bundle toward the end wall will not be great enough to cause the bundle to strike the end wall and cause damage thereto.

I enoy of the stacks f stacks will be guided so as to travel in a straight line longitudinally of the car rather than at an angle. The relative positions of the stacks with relation to the side walls of the car are therefore maintained under conditions where the car is subjected to lateral or angular impacts or shocks.

What I claim is:

1. The hereindescribed method of handling packs of sheet, strip or bar metal incapable of being manually lifted, which consists in positioning the pack on the floor of a freight car andso binding the pack as to maintain the constituent parts against substantial relative movement and the pack in predetermined spaced position with relation to the longitudinal side portions of the car while permitting the pack to yield lon itudinally of the car, whereby the entire pak may be lifted and conveyed as a unit from the car.

2. The hereindescribed method of loading a stack of metal on the floor of a freight car for transportation, consisting in binding the stack together in a unitary bundle and supporting it by means interposed between the stack and the car floor to permit movement as a unit on the car floor when the car is subjected to shocks or blows in transit.

3. The hereindescribed method of loading a stack of metal on the floor of a car for transportation, consisting in binding the stack together to allow movement as a unit on the car floor, and guiding the stack in its movement longitudinally of the car.

4. The hereindescribed method of loading a stack of metal on the car floor for transportation, consisting in securing the stack together and permitting movement thereof back and forth on the car floor free from end obstructions, and guiding the movement of the stack. i

5. The hereindescribed method of loading a stack of metal on the car floor for trans portation, consisting in securing the stack together and mounting it on a pallet having wood surfaces engaging the car floor, and permitting said stack and pallet to travel on the car floor.

6. The hereindescribed method of loading a stack of metal on the car floor for transportation, consisting in securing the. stack together and mounting it on a pallet having wood surfaces engaging the car floor, permitting said stack and pallet to travel on the our floor; and guiding the movement of the pallet and stack.

7. The hereindescribed method of loading a stack of metal on the floor of a freight car for transportation, consisting in supporting the stack on wood members, securing said wood members together, and permitting said members to move back and forth on the car floor when the car is subjected to shocks or blows in transit.

8. The hereindescribed method of loading a stack of metal on the floor of a freight car for transportation, consisting in supporting the stack on wood members, securing said woods members together, permitting said members to move back and forth on the car floor when the car is subjected to shocks or blows in transit, and guiding the movement of said members longitudinally of the car.

9. The herein described method of transporting a stack of metal on the floor of a freight car which consists in binding the stack together in a unitary bundle and supporting it to permit movement as a unit on the car floor-.when the car is subjected to shocks or blows in transit, and arranging an enclosing cover on the stackwhich is free for movement with the stack.

10. Apparatus for transporting a pack of metal on a freight car floor comprising a binder adapted to embrace a pack of metal such as metal sheets, and means adjustably connected with the binder and adjustable independently thereof for exerting ressure inwardly from the binder against tie pack.

11. Apparatus for transporting a pack of metal on. a freight car floor comprising a binder adapted to embrace a pack of metal sheets, and means adjustably connected with the binder and adjustable independently thereof for exerting pressure inwardly from the binder toward the edges of the sheets of the pack, and material relatively softer than the metal sheets interposed between said means and the edges of the pack whereby to engage frictionally the edges of the sheets.

12. Apparatus for transporting a pack of metal on a freight car floor comprising a substantially rigid binder adapted to embrace a pack of metal, such as metal sheets, and means adjustably connected with the binder and adjustable independently thereof for exerting pressure inwardly from the binder against two sides of the pack.

13. In an apparatus of the class described the combination of a frame adapted to encompass a stack, said frame comprising a plurality of members bent to embrace the four corners of the stack and adjustably connected together, and means carried by said frame for exerting stack.

14. In an apparatus of the class described the combination of a frame adapted to encompass a stack, said frame comprising a plurality of members bent to embrace the four corners of the stack and adjustably con nected together, and devices cooperating with said frame for exerting pressure against the top or side of the stack.

15. In an apparatus of the class described the combination of a skeleton frame adapted to encompass the stack and comprising means for maintaining the constituent parts of the stack together as a unit, said frame pressure against the having rounded corners at the corners of the stack to permit the latter to be turned on its s1 e.

16. In an apparatus of the class described the combination of -angle members for embracing the longitudinal corners of a stack, a frame encompassing said stack, and means carried by said frame for clamping said angle members against the stack.

17. Apparatus for transporting metal in a pack on a freight car floor comprising a rigid frame adapted to embrace the pack and screw pressure devices carried thereby and adjustable independently thereof for exerting pressure inwardly from the frame against the pack.

18. In an apparatus of the class described the combination of a series of spaced wood members rigidly secured together, said memb-ers being mounted on the car floor and adapted to support the stack'of metal, means for binding the stack of metal together as a unit and for holding the stack in position to transmit its movement to said members, and means for guiding said members on the car floor.

19. The herein described method of transporting a pack of metal on a freight car floor, consisting in supporting the pack on wood members interposed between the pack and the car floor, with the pack bound together as a unit, maintaining the pack and wood members together as a unit and permitting the same to shift or float on the car floor.

20. The herein described method of transporting a pack of metal on a freight car floor, consisting in supporting the pack on wood members interposed between the pack and the car floor with the pack bound together as a unit, maintaining the pack and wood members together by frictional engagement of the edges of the metal with said members, and permitting said pack and members to float or shift on the car floor as a unit to compensate for shocks or blows to which the car is subjected in transit.

21. The hereinalescribed method of transporting a pack of metal on a freight car floor, consisting in supporting the pack on wood members interposed between the'pack and the car floor with the pack bound together as a unit, maintaining the pack and wood members together as aunit and permitting the same to shift or float on the car floor, and guiding the pack and members in a predetermined path on the car floor.

22. Apparatus for binding metal, such as sheet metal, for transportation on a freight car floor, comprising ,anadjustable yoke binder adapted to. encircle the pack and spaced therefrom at a side or sides thereof, and screw pressure devices located at said sides and supported by the binder for exerting pressure inwardly against the pack.

23. Apparatus for transporting metal in a pack on a freight car floor comprising a yoke binder adapted to encircle the pack 1ntermediate the ends thereof, means supthe car floorv .in spaced relation from the sides and ends of the car and free of end buttresses with a supporting medium interposed; between the stack and the car floor, binding the stack together as aunit and permitting'it to move as a.masson the car floor under its own momentum when the car is subjected to jolts or shocks.

25. An apparatus: tithe class described comprising in combination supporting means for supporting a stack -o'n the car --floor against sagging, means for binding the stack into a unitary mass, and said supporting means being free to move with the stack as a unit on the car floor.

26. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of bars having bends to extend around the corners of a stack, means for connecting the ends of the bars together to form a frame embracing the stack'and de-' vices carried by the frame for exerting pressure against any of the top and vertical sides of thestack. I

27 In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of bars having bends to extend around the corners of a stack, means for connecting the ends of the bars together to form a frame embracing the stack, longitu-- dinal angle members confining any of the longitudinal corners of the stack, and devices cooperating with the frame for exerting pressure against said angle members.

28. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of frame members, means for connecting the ends of the members together to form a frame-embracin a stack, longitu dinal angle members confining any of the longitudinal corners of the stack, devices cooperating with the frame for exerting pressure against said angle members, and devices cooperating with the frame for exerting pressure against the stack intermediate any of said first devices.

29. In anapparatus. of the class described, a plurality of frame bars, means for connecting the ends of the bars together to. form a frame embracing a stack, devices carried by the frame for exerting pressure against any of the top or vertical sides of the stack, said devices having wood portions interposed between the devices and the stack.

. 30. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame for clamplng a stack together, said frame comprising a plurahty of angular members overlapping at their adjacent ends and releasably connected together, each member comprising a pair of parallel spaced metal bars having right angle bends to extend about corners of the stack.

v 31. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of upright bars at opposite sides of a stack, means extending beneath and across the top of the stack for connecting said bars together said bars being positioned edgewise with relation to the stack and means cooperating with a bar or bars for exerting pressure at a side on sides of the stack.

32. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of devices for binding a stack together as a unitary mass, means for supporting the weight of the stack on the car floor free of said devices, bars extending transversely beneath the stack and having angular flanges adapted to act as bearings for hoisting cables insertable beneath the stack.

33. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of devices for binding a stack together asa unitary mass, means for supporting the weight of the stack on the car floor free of-said devices, bars extending transversely beneath the stack and having angular flanges adapted to act as bearings for hoisting cables insertable beneath the stack, and wood portions interposed between said bars and the bottom of the stack.

34. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of devices for. binding a stack together as a unitary mass, means for supporting the weight of the stack on the car floor free of said devices, bars extending transversely beneath-the stack and having angular flanges adapted to act as bearings for hoisting cables insertable beneath the stack, said bars having the ends thereof bent upwardly at the lower corners of the stack to provide curved guides for the hoisting cables. a

.35. The hereindescribed method of transporting heavy packs, such as sheet, strip or bar metal, on the floor of a freight car, which consists in binding or bracing the constituent parts into a unit mass with the binding means extendin therebeneath, and supporting the pack to shift or float during transit on the car floor as a unit free of its binding or bracing means.

36. The hereindescribed method of transporting heavy packs, such as sheet, strip or bar metal, on the floor of a freight car, which consists in binding or bracing the constituent parts into a unit mass, providing a supporting medium for the pack, and permitting the pack and its supporting medium to shift or float on the car fioo-r as a bracing means for the pack free of engagement with the car floor.

37. The herein described method of shi ping material such as sheet metal in pac on the floor of a freight car, which consists in binding the metal together in individual packs, arranging the packs in spaced relation at an end of" the car with the metal sheets supported on edge, and leaving the packs substantially free for independent movement on the car floor during transit.

38. The herein described method of shipping material such as sheet metal in packs on the floor of a freight car, which consists in binding the metal together in individual packs, arranging the packs in spaced relation at an end of the car with the metal sheets supported on edge, leaving the packs substantially free for independent movement on the car floor during transit, and engaging the edges of the sheets with relatively softer material whereby to resist frictionally movement of the sheets during transit.

39. The herein described method of loading a stack of sheet metal on the floor of a freight car for transportation, consisting in binding the stack together in a unitary bundle with the sheets positioned on edge, and supportin it by means interposed between the stac and the car floor and frictionally engaging the edges of the sheets, to permit movement as a unit on the car floor .when the car is subjected to shocks or blows in transit.

40. The herein described method of shipping sheet metal on the floor of a freight car, which consists in binding the sheets into a pack with the sheets of the pack supported on their edges, supporting the pack on wooden members interposed between the pack and the car floor, and leaving said members free to shift on the car floor as a unit with the pack during transit.

41. In an apparatus of the class described, a binder for embracing a pack, comprising aipair of u right parallel metal bars at each 0' a plura 'ty of sides of the pack, means for connecting the bars of each pair together, said bars being positioned edgewise with respect to the pack, and means cooperrating with a air of connected bars for exeil'rting inwar pressure at a side of the pac v 42. In an apparatus of the class described, a binder adapted to embrace a pack of metal sheets, pressure devices cooperating with the binder and adjustable relatively thereto for exerting pressure inwardly from the binder toward the edges of the sheets of the pack, and material relatively softer than the metal sheets interposed between said devices and the edges of the sheets of the pack whereby to engage frictionally the edges of the sheets.

43. In an apparatus of the class described, a binder for a pack or a stack, comprising a rigid frame adapted to encircle the pack, said frame including spaced parallel plates arranged edgewise to the pack, a ressure device for exerting pressure inward y from the frame against the ack, said device comprising a oke extending between the inner edges of t e plates, an adjusting screw cooperating with said yoke, and means interposed between the screw and the pack to exert pressure against the pack.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ROBERT T. ROMINE. 

